“My theory is right,” replied Dr. Barnhelm with deep conviction. “My instrument is right! As yet I have been unable to demonstrate it upon a human being for want of a subject, but I have succeeded always with the lower animals.”
“You claim what, Martin?” continued Dr. Crossett. “That you can restore the heart action to those who die, of what?”
The Doctor smiled slightly as he replied:
“Death is what? When the heart ceases to beat! Life is what? When it beats on, untroubled. I can take the body of a man whose pulse has not fluttered in hours, and I can bring the beating of his heart back! I can bring him back to life!”
He looked almost in triumph into the earnest, sympathetic face of his friend, then turned to John, but his smile left him at what he saw in the young man’s eyes.
“Don’t say that, Doctor,” begged John, earnestly. “I can’t believe that it is true, and if it is, it is horrible!”
“I do not claim to give life,” explained the older man gently, “only to restore it. For how long depends upon the nature of the disease of which the patient dies. Old age must always have its victims. I cannot check decay, nor cancer, nor tuberculosis. There are many cases where, if I were to bring my patient back to life, it would be but to die again, but there are many, many times when I can, and will, restore life to those who die by accident, by drowning, by heart failure, by shock!”
“It is sacrilege!” cried John in horror. “Suppose that a man dies, and his body is brought to you. Do you claim that you will give him back his life?”
“I do,” answered the Doctor firmly.
“What of his soul?”